Like many people, I’ve struggled with imposter syndrome. For a long time, I felt like nothing I accomplished was truly mine—either it wasn’t good enough or it was just a stroke of luck.

A few years ago, I took up running, initially as a way to raise money for charity. What started as a small goal quickly turned into a passion. As I ran more, I began collecting medals – each one a reminder of my growing commitment and effort.

One day, I found myself staring at my first half marathon medal. I realized something significant: this was a tangible achievement, something that no one could question, doubt, or take away from me.

That medal was a testament to my hard work, not luck. It took me a while to understand why I viewed these running accomplishments so differently than the achievements I’d had at work. Eventually, I had an epiphany: I needed to reframe how I viewed all my accomplishments, not just the ones tied to running. I started writing them down and reflecting on them. This simple practice allowed me to recognize that my achievements—big or small – were real and meaningful.

While I can’t hang every success on my wall, I’ve learned to acknowledge and celebrate them in ways that matter to me.

By reframing my achievements and recognising their value, I’ve started to quiet the voice of imposter syndrome.

Running taught me that success doesn’t always have to be grand or validated by others. Sometimes, it’s simply about acknowledging what you’ve done and appreciating it for what it is.

Here a few ideas for how you can celebrate and reframe your achievements:

1. Create a ‘success journal’ dedicated to your accomplishments, big or small.

Write down each success as it happens, whether it’s a project completed at work, a personal goal reached, or even a moment of personal growth. Reflect on why each achievement matters to you and how it contributes to your journey. Over time, this journal will serve as a tangible reminder of everything you’ve achieved.

2. Visual reminders

Just as I display my running medals, find creative ways to visually celebrate your successes. This could be a bulletin board of photos, a wall of certificates, or even a digital folder of achievements. Surrounding yourself with these reminders helps reinforce the idea that your accomplishments are real and worth celebrating.

3. Share your wins!

This one took me some time to get used to – but when I wasn’t sure whether to share something with someone (through doubt of whether it was important), I thought about how I would feel if my friend or family member shared that small win with me, and that made me realise it often brings you closer to people and it helps you embrace your worth and recognise the progress you’ve made. Your family and friends will love hearing about your achievements! You not only share your pride but also normalise celebrating personal victories, no matter how big or small.